酵
fermentation
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
酵 centers on the process of fermentation, where microorganisms transform organic substances, often producing alcohol or acids.
Most common words using 酵
20 of 67- 酵素こうそ
enzyme
- 発酵はっこう
fermentation; zymosis
- 酵母こうぼ
yeast; leaven
- DNA修復酵素ディーエヌエーしゅうふくこうそ
DNA repair enzyme
- アセトンブタノール発酵アセトンブタノールはっこう
acetone-butanol fermentation
- アポ酵素アポこうそ
apoenzyme
- アミノ酸発酵アミノさんはっこう
amino-acid fermentation
- アルコール発酵アルコールはっこう
alcohol fermentation
- キラー酵母キラーこうぼ
killer yeast
- タンパク消化酵素たんぱくしょうかこうそ
protein-digesting enzyme
- タンパク質分解酵素たんぱくしつぶんかいこうそ
protease
- パン酵母パンこうぼ
baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae); brewer's yeast
- ビール酵母ビールこうぼ
brewer's yeast; brewery yeast
- フラビン酵素フラビンこうそ
flavin enzyme; flavoenzyme
- フラボ酵素フラボこうそ
flavoenzyme
- メタン発酵メタンはっこう
methane fermentation
- モノアミン酸化酵素モノアミンさんかこうそ
monoamine oxidase; MAO
- モノアミン酸化酵素阻害薬モノアミンさんかこうそそがいやく
monoamine oxidase inhibitor; MAO inhibitor; MAOI
- 下面発酵かめんはっこう
bottom fermentation (brewing)
- 並行複発酵へいこうふくはっこう
multiple parallel fermentation (esp. in sake brewing)
Study
Etymology
酵 combines 酉 (a wine vessel, often associated with fermentation) with 孝, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to yeast or leaven used in brewing.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 酉 is a wine jar, and the right side 孝 suggests a child helping an elder. Picture a child adding yeast to a jar to start the fermentation process for making wine.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a jar of fermenting koji (こうじ, a mold used in fermentation) bubbling away: koji -> コウ, and the jar 酉 is where the fermentation happens.